Sudan grass (Sorghum xdrummondii) – an annual grass grown as a forage crop for cattle, horses, sheep and other livestock. The variety is characterized by its mild taste and pleasant aroma, making it attractive to animals in fresh form. With proper care, up to five cuts can be made per season and over 1,000 centners of grass harvested per hectare.
The variety is characterized by mid-season maturity: 40–45 days pass from germination to the first cut, and the seed maturation period is 88–95 days. Plant height at maturity is 230–250 cm, the bush is upright and of medium density. Leaves are wide-linear up to 60 cm long, the stem is thin, well-leafy, and internally filled with dense parenchyma.
The nutritional value of Sudan grass is high: green mass contains a large amount of sugars, proteins, ash, vitamins and minerals. When hay is harvested, crude protein content reaches 12.33%, and biologically available energy is 46.30%. Fiber accounts for about 29.55%. Hay from this variety provides over 70 feed units per 100 centners and digestible protein of over 80 g. Disease resistance is high: the variety does not lodge, withstands drought well and is resistant to covered bunt, and is weakly damaged by aphids and bacterial blight.
Sudan grass is suitable for silage production, high-quality hay harvesting and green feed. Thanks to the increased rate of initial growth and regrowth of stubble after cutting, the variety ensures a stable yield in the range of 60–65 t/ha of green mass and 10.5–11.5 t/ha of dry mass. This makes it a valuable resource for agricultural enterprises seeking efficient forage production.
